There are lots of reasons to choose a bicycle as your primary means of transportation. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. Some people are competitors in cycling. And some people decide that they want to take up cycling as a hobby with their family and friends. No matter your reason for needing to choose a bicycle, you need to consider a number of different things in order to choose the one that is right for you. In order to assist you in your decision, we have put together a few tips.
One of the major parts of choosing the right cycling bicycle for you is making sure that the bicycle is the right size. Begin by measuring your inseam. Simply measure through your inner leg from your groin to the bottom of your foot to find out your inseam. You should ideally be able to place both feet on the ground when sitting in on your bike. This is for safety more than anything else, if your brakes should fail you will not be able to easily stop the bike otherwise.
Don't ever make the purchase until you have tried the bicycle out. Take it around the block if you can to make sure that it's worth the money and it's right for you. Do you know of anyone that would buy a used car without taking it out for a test drive?
The same rule applies to a bicycle. It's even more important for you to do if you plan on spending a significant amount of money on it and will be using it a lot. You need to make sure the bike is going to 'fit' you. This doesn't only mean physically fit you, this also means one that easily fits your riding styles. You wouldn't want to spend your hard earned money on something that isn't comfortable, would you?
You should already have your safety gear bought and ready to go. Bicycle helmets are something completely different than they once were. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as important site well. You should never go for a ride without putting on your helmet first. You don't even realize how important this thing can be in saving your life.
It wouldn't hurt to also get some elbow and knee pads, and some wrist and ankle guards if you are going to take your bike off-road. If you are going to be using your bicycle as your sole means of transportation, you should think of investing in some pants clips as well. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain.
There are many different things you should consider when the time comes to buy the perfect bicycle for yourself. It can become a bit overwhelming when going shopping for a bike and accessories because there is just so much to choose from. As long as you go about the process slowly and research a little before you go, you should have no problem finding the perfect bike.